Single, central limit stop for a disc drive actuator

Abstract

An improved limit stop system for defining the extremes of the range of motion of the actuator of a disc drive. An elongated slot having inner and outer contact surfaces is provided in the bobbin inside the coil of the actuator voice coil motor. A pin member having a compliant portion is assembled through the elongated slot in the coil bobbin and into engagement with stationary components of the disc drive. When the intended extreme of the range of motion of the actuator is reached, either the inner or outer contact surface of the elongated slot contacts the compliant portion of the pin member preventing further motion of the actuator in that direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A disc drive comprising: a rotary voice coil actuator having an axis of rotation,   including a single flat coil lying substantially in a plane normal to the axis of rotation of the actuator, and   having a range of motion;     a generally planar bobbin lying in a plane substantially in the plane of the coil, the bobbin enclosed by the coil, the bobbin including an elongated slot perforating the bobbin and defined by interior surfaces within the bobbin, the interior surfaces normal to the plane of the bobbin, the slot having an inner contact surface and an outer contact surface;   a pin fixedly mounted to a stationary portion of the disc drive and extending substantially parallel with the axis of rotation of the rotary voice coil actuator; and   attached to the pin and positioned to engage the inner contact surface of the slot at a first time and to engage the outer contact surface of the slot at a second time, means for limiting the range of motion of the actuator.   
     
     
       2. In a disc drive including: a generally planar bobbin;   a rotary voice coil actuator supported on said bobbin   having an axis of rotation,   including a single flat coil lying substantially in a plane coplanar with the bobbin and normal to the axis of rotation of the actuator, and   having a range of motion; and     engaging said bobbin, a limit stop system for defining extremes of and limiting said range of motion of said actuator, said limit stop system comprising: an elongated slot formed in said bobbin, the slot perforating the bobbin and defined by interior surfaces within the bobbin, the interior surfaces normal to the bobbin, said slot adapted for engaging an interior portion of the bobbin with a limit stop for defining extremes of said range of motion of said rotary voice coil actuator; and   a pin member fixedly mounted to a stationary portion of said disc drive, attached to the limit stop, and extending substantially parallel with the axis of rotation of the rotary voice coil actuator;     the improvement comprising: attached to the pin, improved means for limiting the range of motion of the actuator.   
     
     
       3. A disc drive actuator stop apparatus comprising: a bearing having an axis of rotation;   a flat coil bobbin mounted on said bearing, lying substantially in a plane perpendicular to said axis, and having a range of motion about said axis;   an elongated slot formed within said bobbin in an arc made by rotating the bobbin about said axis, and   defined by interior surfaces within said bobbin; and     fixedly mounted with respect to said bobbin, means for engaging said bobbin at said interior surfaces and for limiting the range of motion of said bobbin about said axis.